Cooper County

Cooper County is an administrative division in central Missouri that encompasses several small towns and rural communities. The landscape includes farmland, woodlands, and areas alongside the Missouri River that extend across the region.

The county was established in December 1818 and named after Sarshell Cooper, a frontier settler who was killed by Native Americans near Arrow Rock. The name reflects the early settlement period when communities were developing across Missouri's interior.

The Columbia metropolitan area incorporates Cooper County, influencing its development through educational institutions and community organizations.

Interstate 70 and US Route 40 provide main connections to larger cities across Missouri and neighboring states. Local state routes link the smaller communities together throughout the region.

The Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge protects important habitats along the Missouri River for birds and other wildlife. The refuge offers visitors a chance to observe nature in its natural state within the county.

Location: Missouri

Inception: December 17, 1818

Capital city: Boonville

Shares border with: Howard County, Boone County, Moniteau County, Morgan County, Pettis County, Saline County

Website: http://coopercountymo.org

GPS coordinates: 38.85000,-92.81000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:40